Basic & Advanced Medical Education

Dr Chee completed his medical studies at the National University of Singapore in 1990. He commenced his basic training as a medical officer in Otorhinolaryngology at the National University Hospital (Ear, Nose, Throat-Head & Neck Surgery) in 1993 and completed it when he obtained the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and Glasgow in 1995. In 1996, he started his advanced training in Otorhinolaryngology at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, United Kingdom under the tutelage of Janet Wilson and David Mathias, and then on to the Sunderland General Hospital and finally at the City General Hospital, Carlisle with Andrew Robson. He returned in January 1999 when he completed his advanced surgical rotation in Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery.

Accreditation

He was promoted to Senior Registrar (currently known as Associate Consultant) in July 1999 and was awarded Specialist Accreditation in Otorhinolaryngology by the Ministry of Health and Specialist Registration in Ear, Nose & Throat Surgery by the Singapore Medical Council in early 2000.

Overseas Subspeciality Fellowship Training

Dr Chee was awarded the Health and Manpower Development Program (HMDP) Fellowship award in February 2000. He served as Clinical Fellow in Neurotology and Otology to Professor Julian Nedzelski and Professor Joseph Chen at the Sunnybrook and Women’s Health Science Centre in Toronto, Canada from July 2000 to June 2001. Professor Nedzelski is a leading Skull Base Surgeon with more than 1000 acoustic neuroma tumor excisions under his belt. Together with Professor Chen, they are leaders in pioneering work in cochlear implantation surgery performing more than 50 each year.

Cochlear Implant Programme

On his return, Dr Chee became involved in the cochlear implant programme at the National University Hospital and later, was appointed as a member to the National Cochlear Implant Board in October 2001. He served as Deputy Director of the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) programme at the National University Hospital. He took over the Directorship of the Cochlear Implant Programme (later known as the Centre for Hearing Intervention and Language Development (CHILD)) in July 2002. As director of CHILD, Dr Chee was responsible for integrating all services involved in the diagnosis, treatment and habilitation of hearing impaired children. To date, he has performed more than 30 cochlear implant surgeries for local and foreign patients.

Dr Chee also introduced LASER ear surgery for Otosclerosis to Singapore which is currently performed only at the National University Hospital. He has performed more than 70 stapes surgeries. Of these, the LASER was used in 50 cases.

Involvement in Medical Education/Training

Apart from his clinical duties, Dr Chee was very involved in medical education. He was appointed coordinator of the undergraduate medical student programme for ENT department, National University of Singapore (NUS) from 2000 to 2005. He introduced the Singapore Society of Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) bookprize for 4th year medical students which determines the best medical student for ENT that academic year. In addition, Dr Chee was also a presenter for the ENT training programme which involves the education of ENT surgeons-in-training. This includes giving tutorials, lectures and guiding trainees through complex and difficult surgery.

Dr Chee was co-chairman of the NUH-TTSH Otology/Neurotology board from 2000 to 2005. This board meets once a month to discuss and propose management of difficult and complex external, middle and inner ear conditions from TTSH, AH, CGH and NUH. This forum serves as an important platform for patients to receive consensus from a panel of ear specialists on the best treatment options for their ear condition.

He was also course director of the 1st NUH-NUS temporal bone dissection course held in January 2005. This course attracted participants from neighboring ASEAN countries and was held in conjunction with the 1st NUH-NUS otolaryngology, head & neck conference.

Apart from his training and expertise in Otologic and Skull Base Disorders, his other clinical interests include:

Related ENT Expertise

Diagnosis and Management of Dizziness and Facial Nerve disorders

On his return from Canada, Dr. Chee ran a weekly dizzy clinic managing patients with difficult and protracted dizziness.

Diagnosis and Management ENT Allergy

Dr Chee is well versed in managing allergy especially in children with persistent nasal symptoms and asthma and works closely with paediatrician colleagues in controlling and managing lower and upper respiratory tract allergy.

Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Endoscopic sinus surgery has become the mainstay of treatment for chronic nasal and sinus infections. Having performed more than 250 cases, Dr Chee is experienced in managing chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps and its complications.

Management of Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Dr Chee is also experienced in assessing, diagnosing and managing adults and children with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. He is conversant with Coblation Tonsillectomy, which is a new technique and has been shown to cause less pain and bleeding postoperatively. He is also experienced in minimal techniques for snoring such as the Pillar Implant and Radiofrequency Palatoplasty

Other Appointments/Awards

Dr Chee was awarded the NUH postgraduate teaching excellence award in October 2002 and the NUH long service (10 years) award in November 2004. Dr Chee has also served on various committees. He was the honorary secretary to the Singapore Society of Otorhinolaryngology (2002-2004), member of the Transplant Ethics Committee (2005), advisor to the Steering Committee for the Itinerant Support Service initiated by the Ministry of Community Development (2004).